Class A - Region 4 Football Preview

Dwight Gatlin & Andy Hill

06/21/2005

2005
Football Preview

Class
A - Region 4

Region 4 has been dominated by Hawkinsville for the last three
years. They remain the favorite for 2005 but serious challenges from Twiggs
County and Johnson County are expected. Though losing two Division 1 signees
in Brandon Perry and Trey Dunmon, defense should be their strong suit,
especially early on. Defensive end Robert Hall, who has verbally committed
to Georgia Tech, will lead the defense for the Devils. The 6-3/ 225 lb
two-time All-State player led the team in sacks and tackles for loss in
2004. At the other defensive end will be up and coming Sacoby Carter,
a 6-3/ 220 lb junior who was a starter in 2004. A veteran linebacker corps
includes senior Desmond Brown and juniors Karlos Scott and Victor Bray
and will play an important role as they enter their second year working
together. The secondary returns essentially intact led by another two-time
All-State selection in Lafallis Anderson, the school's all time pass interception
leader going into his senior season. Lanky 6-3/ l80 lb junior Fred Porter,
who took over a starting role midway into the 2004 season, will join him.
The other corner is undecided but talented players are available to fill
the position. Offensively, the Devils lost outstanding quarterback Todd
Coley and talented receivers Sharrard Anderson and Kemuel Spivey. However,
the cupboard is not bare as understudy Jim Henry is ready to take the
quarterback reigns. The upcoming junior was pressed into duty in a key
region game in 2004 due to an injury and moved the team without missing
a beat. His main targets will be Rico Jones, Yardan Polhill, and Lafallis
Anderson. Speedy sophomore Dequan Bembry will provide a deep threat as
well. Robert Hall, who will double at tight end, will be a key possession
receiver for the Devils. Jeremy Marshall, who has rushed for nearly 4,000
yards in his career, suffered a non-contact ACL injury in the state finals
and had surgery in January. If he recovers fully the Devil running game
could be potent once again. A rebuilding effort on the offensive line
will be required but Tyler Jenkins along with Sacoby Carter and Robert
Hall provide a great nucleus from which to build.

Dexter Copeland's Twiggs County Cobras will return the key elements
of a potent offensive attack from 2004. The Cobra offense will be led
by All-State running back Jo Jo Cox who had in excess of 1,800 yards and
scored 18 TDs in 2004. He is getting a lot of attention from college scouts
from across the country. Jaustin Rios will return at quarterback and will
look to improve on his 9 TD passes from 2004. Four year starter Chad Floyd
and 6-6/ 327 lb Chris Little will anchor a strong offensive line. If the
Cobras can find a wide receiver replacement for departed Johnny Johnson,
that should open up holes for Cox and provide Rios some passing opportunities.
Brian Hubbard, a 6-3/ 190 lb receiver is the man the Cobras are looking
to replace Johnson. With eight starters returning on offense the Cobras
quick and talented defense may not miss a beat despite losing All-State
linebacker and Clemson Tiger signee Antonio Clay. Hard hitting defensive
back Sherman King and linebacker Trantez Stephens will lead the defense.
Depth has been a problem for the Cobras but participation is up and the
Cobras look to go deep into the playoffs in 2005.

The Johnson County Trojans will welcome back six offensive and
five defensive starters from the 2004 playoff team. Coach Bill Bonds will
look to his offense to carry the load early in the season. They will be
led by four-year starter Cordele Johnson, a smallish but quick signal
caller. If he can stay healthy the Trojans fortunes could be rosy offensively.
His main receiving target will be 6-2/ 175 lbs junior Cedric Rawlings
who had 13 catches for 250 yards in 2004. Seniors Jeremy Martin and Justin Lindsey will lead the offensive line, which returns three starters and
will average nearly 240 lbs. The offense must replace their top two tailbacks
and fullback but Coach Bonds has talented players from which to pick.
Defensively, the Trojans will be led by all-star candidates Brad Moorman
and Micarlus King, both returning starters. Tackle Stacy Devero will move
to middle linebacker. The Trojans lost some speedy defensive players from
the 2004 squad but Moorman, Devero, and King will provide a nucleus and
great leadership while the defense matures.

Head coach Darryl Silas will attempt to improve on his 5-5 record in
his first year with the Dooly County Bobcats. An improved weight
training program should assist the Bobcats on the offensive line, which
returns almost intact, as the Bobcats look to be bigger and stronger.
They return seven starters on both sides of the ball and have talented
athletes to fill any open positions. Look for an increased emphasis on
the running game from the Dooley County.

Eli Dupree's Wheeler County Bulldogs will look to improve on their
three wins from 2004. Helping in this effort will be seven returning offensive
starters, including quarterback Tim McArthur who has good speed and provides
a break away threat, and eight defensive starters. Giant offensive tackle
T.J. Johnson, who is 6-4/ 370 lbs, will be a player the Bulldogs can run
behind. Defense could be the strong suit with six seniors who will provide
great leadership. Defensively, the Bulldogs will be led by 6-4/ 200 lb
defensive end Kasey Howard along with Erick and Derick Fowler, Bruce King,
LeMarcus Woodard and Norman Gordon.

Telfair County will be looking to advance to the playoffs once
again in 2005. Coach Jeff Bowen's Trojans came on strong at the end of
2004 with some impressive outings. Finding a replacement for running back
Anson McLean will be the main focus during fall practice.

Britt Ingle enters his second season as the Treutlen County Vikings
head coach. A major rebuilding effort got underway in 2004 and provided
three victories including a big win over archrival Wheeler County. The
Vikings will struggle to make the playoffs but improvement will likely
be seen.

The Wilkinson County Warriors will attempt to avoid the late season
swoon from 2004 which saw them drop their last three games and fall out
of playoff contention. The Warriors will once again have good size and
speed.

The Wilcox County Patriots were very young in 2004 and with a
year under their belts could make some noise in 2005. The Patriots put
in a passing attack in 2004 that saw their quarterback have in excess
of 200 attempts. Though they may not garner a playoff berth the Patriots
could provide headaches for their Region 4 opponents.

Montgomery County's Eagles experienced a winless season in 2004 and will
be attempting to merely get a few wins and start to improve.

The region's final seeding could well hinge on the matchups between Hawkinsville,
Twiggs, and Johnson County. But none of those three can afford to have
a bad night in the ten-team region.